By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Mar 29, 2016 at 9:40 AM

After months of silence and a seeming lack of activity, the first Wisconsin location for Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta is back on track with construction at its new location at 1154 N. Water St. on the ground level of the MSOE Grohmann Tower apartments.

When the popular Chicago-based restaurant announced its intentions to move into downtown Milwaukee, they initially forecasted an opening in late spring or early summer of 2015. However, owner Rudy Malnati Jr. notes that construction delays pushed back the project timeline. The restaurant is now hoping to open sometime in June.

Malnati noted that work on the HVAC and ventilation systems has been completed, and materials have been dropped for internal walls, which will begin to be assembled this week.

Upon completion, the restaurant will largely resemble its Chicago-based counterparts, notes Malnati, with a menu that includes both deep dish and thin crust pizzas, along with pasta, salads, entrees and sandwiches.

In terms of atmosphere, Malnati notes that the Milwaukee location will feature both a bar and separate dining area, as well as a sizeable banquet space. Televisions will be installed so that customers can watch games, and sports memorabilia will don the walls. The restaurant is expected to seat over 200 guests. Carry-out options will also be available.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.